Explore the holistic approaches of 3 leading culinary and hospitality schools

Imagine being able to whip up a world-class dish but not being able to keep your restaurant afloat. It’s a common scenario — one that highlights the gap between culinary skills and business acumen. According to CNBC, 60% of restaurants fail in their first year, and within five years, 80% of those remaining do not survive. Indeed, talent is essential in the restaurant or hospitality industry, but it is nothing without a broader skill set. This is precisely what institutions across the globe are aiming to nurture through interdisciplinary qualifications.

In classrooms, they cover the intricacies of financial management, marketing strategies, leadership, and operations. Beyond the classroom, they unlock experiential learning opportunities. Through theory and practice, their students learn how to manage teams, balance budgets, and market brands. Upon graduating, they step into the world of work, ready to not just add value but to lead and innovate within it.

For a better understanding of what such academic experiences entail, read on to discover the top three culinary and hospital schools that turn students’ passion for food and service into sustainable, successful careers.

Culinary Institute of America

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) has set the benchmark for professional culinary education since its inception in 1946. With campuses in New York, California, and Texas, as well as an international presence in Singapore, the #1 degree-granting culinary college for ROI offers various programmes that nurture culinary talent.

Aspiring food entrepreneurs and future leaders of major food groups can turn their visions into reality through the Bachelor of Business Administration in Food Business Management. Delivered from the CIA’s New York campus, this programme equips students with essential leadership and management skills bolstered by hands-on instruction from experienced industry professionals, preparing them to develop restaurants that last.

For those passionate about culinary arts, the Associate in Culinary Arts is an intensive programme that not only develops core culinary skills but also paves the way for a lasting career in the culinary field. In less than two years, students learn to prepare innovative dishes, tackle new cuisines, manage teams, and operate state-of-the-art kitchen equipment. CIA’s emphasis on hands-on learning, combined with mentorship from expert faculty, ensures graduates excel within and beyond kitchens.

Regardless of the path they choose, all CIA students benefit from a robust experiential learning environment, gaining twice the foundational skills and more in-depth specialisations than what’s offered at other institutions. They train in nine on-campus, award-winning restaurants, choose from over 2,000 paid internships, and connect with an alumni network of over 50,000 professionals.

Many thriving alumni even return annually to recruit new talent. And three times a year, over 150 top restaurant and hospitality companies visit the New York campus, helping CIA students average three job offers each by graduation. Learn more about the Culinary Institute of America.

In the last century, Le Cordon Bleu has transformed from a Parisian cooking school into a global network of culinary arts and hospitality institutes. Source: Le Cordon Bleu/Facebook

Le Cordon Bleu

Le Cordon Bleu, with its illustrious history spanning back to 1895, is long known as the top education provider in cuisine, patisserie, hospitality management, and gastronomy. But today, it is far more than just a culinary school in Paris. Through bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, it is nurturing students around the world to thrive in an even wider range of globally-focused, multi-skilled careers in the hospitality sector and beyond.

Today, it is the largest network of culinary and hospitality schools in the world, with more than 35 institutes in 20 countries. There are campuses in Europe, the Americas, Oceania and Asia, in locations such as Manila, Madrid, Sydney, Shanghai, and more. No matter which campus, each is the perfect place for students looking to explore the limitless potential of their culinary visions and gain the business acumen to thrive in today’s competitive industries. It’s an equally apt choice for aspiring leaders.

From managing a hotel or restaurant to running your own business, its hospitality management programmes provide a comprehensive education in business and leadership, coupled with the real-world skills essential for success.

For students who’d like to study in the Asia Pacific region, Le Cordon Bleu Australia is a great choice. Its state-of-the-art campuses in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are filled with cutting-edge facilities to help students refine their skills, harness their creativity and strengthen their confidence. This explains why 95% of graduates secure employment within six months of completing their studies.

Vatel Bordeaux’s students can benefit from the VATEL network, which has 53 campuses in 33 countries, 62 nationalities, 9,000 students, and 45,000 Alumni. Source: Vatel Bordeaux

Vatel Bordeaux

For those seeking a top-ranked, multidisciplinary education focusing on hands-on learning, look no further than Vatel Bordeaux. The World University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds ranked it as the first in France by subject in Hospitality & Leisure Management.

Vatel Bordeaux is a proud member of the Vatel Group, the first largest Business School Group in Hospitality and Tourism Management in the world with 53 campuses in 33 countries and winner of the “Best Hospitality Management School” category at the 17th Worldwide Hospitality Awards, beating 42 other prestigious institutions.

Such accolades have established Vatel Bordeaux as a trusted source of top-tier talent for leading hotel chains like Sofitel, Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and Mandarin. These industry giants rely on the school to provide skilled candidates capable of significantly enhancing their operations.

The school’s strong industry connections ensure that Vatéliens (Vatel alumni) are well-prepared for international careers in hospitality, tourism, and luxury goods management. Hence, all graduates secure employment within a year of completing their studies, with many finding positions in some of the world’s most exciting locations.

They all credit their success to Vatel Bordeaux’s emphasis on extensive training, practice, and internships. They offer 15 months of immersive experiences in France or abroad. This approach ensures students are adept at problem-solving, responsibility, and leadership. Plus, students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week, further enriching their resumes with valuable experience.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International